Importance of Repentance

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. - Acts 2:38

No one can come to Jesus Christ unless he repents. Jesus began His ministry proclaiming the need for repentance (Matt. 4:17), and both Peter and Paul continued to proclaim it. Repentance is a conscious choice to turn from the world, sin, and evil. It is crucial!

If you came to Jesus Christ thinking all you had to do was believe but didn’t have to confess your sin or be willing to cut yourself off from the evil of this world, you have missed the point of salvation. Many people’s lives haven’t changed at all since they supposedly believed in Christ.

For example, some acted immorally and still act immorally. Some committed adultery and continue to commit adultery. And some committed fornication and continue to commit fornication. Yet according to 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you are really saved, you will make a conscious attempt to break away from the things of the world.

The two most problematic sins in this world are pride and idolatry. Anything that you put above God is an idol and that is pride telling you that you don't have idols. Jesus gave his life to us so he could live his life through us.

Take care of you Even when you are old

Even when you are old,  I will be the same. Even when your hair has  turned gray, I will take care of you.- Isaiah 46:4

               

Growing old can be dangerous. The trail is treacherous and the pitfalls are many. One is wise to be prepared. You know it’s coming. It’s not like God kept the process a secret. It’s not like you are blazing a trail as you grow older. It’s not as if no one has ever done it before. Look around you.

You have ample opportunity to prepare and ample case studies to consider. If growing old catches you by surprise, don’t blame God. He gave you plenty of warning. He also gave you plenty of advice.

Your last chapters can be your best. Your final song can be your greatest. It could be that all of your life has prepared you for a grand exit. God’s oldest have always been among his choicest.

               http://relevantrevolution.com/mp3/john-cross.mp3
Jesus gave his life to us so he could live his life through us.

 

 

[Power] comes in many forms

The wisdom of this world  is foolishness with God. 

- 1 Corinthians 3:19

[Power] comes in many forms.
It’s the husband who refuses to be kind to his wife.…
It’s the employee who places personal ambition over personal integrity.
It’s the wife who withholds sex both to punish and persuade.
It might be the taking of someone’s life, or it might be the taking of someone’s turn.…
But they are all spelled the same: P-O-W-E-R.… And all have the same goal: “I will get what I want at your expense.”
And all have the same end: futility.… Absolute power is unreachable.…When you stand at the top—if there is a top—the only way to go is down. And the descent is often painful.…

A thousand years from now, will it matter what title the world gave you? No, but it will make a literal hell of a difference whose child you are.

Greatest Commandment

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Matthew 22: 36-39

 

God’s commandments are always for our good. God made us, and He knows our limitations, our drives, our weaknesses. He also knows what will give us the greatest sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, meaning, purpose, and hope. He knows what will put us into the best possible position to give and receive love from other people. His commandments are His operating instructions so that we might experience all of the wonderful things that He desires to give us. 

Prayer:  Lord help me to love you with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my mind. Show me my weaknesses so I can see your strengths, for when I am weak you are strong

Fear the Lord our God

The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always

Deuteronomy 6:24